Kenji ITO

RCAST, University of Tokyo
4-6-1 Komaba, Meguroku
Tokyo 153-8904, Japan
E-mail: kenjiito@fulbrightweb.org, kenjiito@post.harvard.edu

Education
Harvard University, Ph. D, History of Science, November 2002
General Examination Fields: History of Physical Sciences (Peter L. Galison) , History of Science in the 17th Century (Mario Biagioli), History of Modern Japan (Andrew Gordon)
Dissertation Title: Making Sense of Ryôshiron (Quantum Theory): The Introduction of Quantum Physics into Japan, 1920-1940
Advisor: Peter L. Galison
Readers: Andrew Gordon, Silvan S. Schweber

University of Tokyo, Sci. M., History of Science, March 1992
Thesis Title: Establishment of the Standard Interpretation of Quantum Mechanics (in Japanese)
Advisor: Chikara SASAKI

University of Tokyo, B. A., History of Science, March 1990
Thesis Title: Bohr-Einstein Debate (in Japanese)
Advisor: Chikara SASAKI

Fellowships and Awards

•	History of Science Society Travel Grant
History of Science Society, November 2001
•	Reischauer Institute Supplementary Dissertation Grant
Harvard University, Edwin O. Reischauer Institute of Japanese Studies, September 2001 to June 2002
•	Graduate Student Council Conference Grant
Harvard University, Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, Graduate Student Council, July 2001
•	Reischauer Institute Graduate Summer Research Travel Grant
Harvard University, Edwin O. Reischauer Institute of Japanese Studies, July to August 2001
•	Reischauer Institute Graduate Summer Research Travel Grant
Harvard University, Edwin O. Reischauer Institute of Japanese Studies, June to August 2000
•	German Language Training Grant.
Harvard University Center of European Studies. July to August 1998.
•	Fulbright Grant for Graduate Studies.
Fulbright Commission. September 1996 to August 1998 
•	Graduate Scholarship.
Nihon Ikueikai. April 1991 to March 1993. 

Teaching Experience

Teaching Fellow, History of Science 120/Physics 121: History and Philosophy of Modern Physics 
Harvard University, History of Science Department, Spring 2000, with  Professor Peter L. Galison
Guest Lecturer, "Relativity Theory and Quantum Mechanics," 
Harvard University, History of Science Department, Spring 2000
Description: A lecture on the history of relativity theory and quantum mechanics for History of Science 97b.
Teaching Fellow, History of Science 97b: Sophomore Tutorial
Harvard University, History of Science Department. Fall 2000
Description: A small class survey seminar from the 17th century to the present
Teaching Fellow, History of Science 97a: Sophomore Tutorial
Harvard University, History of Science Department. Fall 2000
Description: A small class survey seminar from the Ancient Greek science to the 17th century
Tutor, History of Science 98r: Interpreting Theories: Toward a Semantic Approach of the History of Science
Harvard University, History of Science Department. Spring 2000
Description: A reading seminar on the methodological issues in the history of sciences designed and led by me.
Head Teaching Fellow, Science A-41: "The Einstein Revolution" 
Harvard University, Office of Core Education. Fall 1999, with Professor Peter L. Galison
Teaching Fellow, Historical Studies A-18: Science and Society in the 20th Century
Harvard University, Office of Core Education. Spring 1999, with Everett Mendelsohn
Graduate Writing Fellow
Harvard University, Derek Bok Center for Teaching and Learning. Spring 1999
Description: A faculty development program to enhance the use of writing in teaching
Junior Tutor 
Harvard University, History of Science Department. Fall, 1998
Description: Supervised a student's writing a research paper
Teaching Fellow, Science A-41: "The Einstein Revolution" 
Harvard University, Office of Core Education. Fall, 1998, with Peter L. Galison

Presentations
Conference Papers 

•	 "Physics at War in Japan: Nishina Yoshio's Propaganda for "Pure Science" during World War II" History of Science Society Annual Meeting, Milwaukee, 2002
•	"Student 'Radicals' in Science: Youth Culture and the Roots of Quantum Physics Research in Interwar Japan," the Tenth International Conference on the History of Science in East Asia, Shanghai, August 2002.
•	"Student 'Radicals' in Science: Youth Culture and the Roots of Quantum Physics Research in Interwar Japan," History of Science Society Annual Meeting, Denver, November 2001.
Conference Papers (Continued)
•	"Rebuilding House and Rebuilding Physics: Moral Origins of Nishina Yoshio's Science 'Entrepreneurship'," Society for Social Studies of Science Annual Meeting, Cambridge, November 2001.
•	"Interdisciplinarity and Education: Observations concerning Paul Forman, Liberal Arts Education, and STS," STS Network Japan Summer School, Shôdo Island, August 2001 (in Japanese).
•	"Complementarity in the 'Far East': Philosophy of Quantum Mechanics and Japanese Intellectuals around the 1930s," The XXIst International Congress of History of Science, Mexico City, July 2001.
•	"Complementarity in the 'Far East': Philosophy of Quantum Mechanics and Japanese Intellectuals around the 1930s" Mephistos (Graduate Student Conference for the History, Philosophy, and Sociology of Science), University of Notre Dame, March – April, 2001.
•	"Rebuilding House and Rebuilding Physics: Native and Foreign Values Examined in Nishina Yoshio's School Building Activities" Harvard Graduate Student Conference for Japanese Studies, Harvard University, March 2001.
•	"'Culture of Calculating': Theory and Practice of Theoretical Physics in 1920s Japan" History of Science Society Annual Meeting, November 2000.
•	"Two Meanings of Theoretical Physics in 1920s Japan" Joint Atlantic Seminar in the History of Science, University of Pittsburgh, September 2000.
•	"'Student Dissidents' in Physics: Student Culture in the Taisho Era and Modern Physics in Japan" Harvard Graduate Student Conference for Japanese Studies, Harvard University, March 2000.

Invited Talks

•	"The Geist in the Institute: Production of Quantum Theorists in Prewar Japan," Pedagogy and Science Conference ("Training Scientists, Crafting Science") at MIT, January and September, 2002.
•	"Restoration of the House and Construction of Physics Community: Science and Values Seen in Nishina Yoshio's Case," Tuesday Seminar, Tokyo Institute of Technology , September, 2001 (in Japanese)
•	"'Student Radicals' in Physics: Student Culture in the Taisho Era and Modern Physics in Japan" Japanese Society for the History of Science and Technology Meeting, University of Tokyo, August, 2000 (in Japanese).
•	"Explanation and Understanding: On Studying Cultures of Science" STS (Science Technology Society) Network Japan, Summer School, July 2000 (in Japanese).
•	"Theory and Practice of Theoretical Physics in 1920s Japan" Melyst (Meguro Lyceum of Science and Technology) Meeting, June 2000 (in Japanese).
•	"Complementarity and Japanese Intellectuals in the 1930s" Japanese Society for the History of Science and Technology Meeting, University of Tokyo, August 1999 (in Japanese).

Conferences and Sessions Organized
•	"You Youth Are Terrible People . . .": Student Culture and the Moral Economies of Modern Physics" History of Science Society Annual Meeting, Denver, November 2001.
•	"Redefining Physics: Science, Culture, and Politics in the 20th Century East Asia" History of Science Society Annual Meeting, Vancouver, November 2000.
•	"Reading Image and Logic" Workshop at the University of Tokyo, Tokyo, August, 2000.

Publications
Articles

•	"Mr. F and Astroboy: Images of Robots and Perceptions of Science and Technology in Japan," submitted to and accepted by Japan Journal for Science, Technology & Society.
•	"Values of  'Pure Science': Nishina Yoshio's Wartime Discourse between Nationalism and Physics, 1940-1945," Historical Studies in Physical and Biological Sciences, 33 (2002): 61-86.
•	With Yoshiyuki Kikuchi and Yasu Furukawa, "Rudolf Clausius' Copy of Sadi Carnot's Reflexions: A New Look at Clausius' Access to Carnot's Work," Historia Scientiarum 6, 1996: 31-36.
•	"Quantum Mechanics as a Philosophical Thought," in Chikara Sasaki et al., Thoughts on Exact Sciences, Iwanami Lectures of Modern Thoughts, vol. 11 (Tokyo: Iwanami Shoten, 1995), pp. 185-210 (in Japanese).
•	With Yoshiyuki Kikuchi and Yasu Furuawa, "Rudolf Clausius' Copies of Sadi Carnot and J. R. Mayer's Books: Findings from the Charles Clarke Collection at Tokyo Denki University," Kagakusi Kenkyu 33, 1994: 221-225, (in Japanese).
•	With Yasu Furukawa and Kenji Ito, "Rudolf Clausius' Copies of Sadi Carnot and J. R. Mayer's Books: Findings in the Charles L. Clarke Collection at Tokyo Denki University," Research Reports of the Faculty of Engineering, Tokyo Denki University, no. 14, 1994: 65-75, (in Japanese).

Book Reviews, Essay Reviews, Encyclopedia Articles and Other Writings 
•	"A Preliminary Study for the Cultural History of Robotics in Japan," Archive for Philosophy and the History of Science, No. 5, 2003: 37-62 (in Japanese).
•	Review of Ian Inkster and Fumihiko Satofuka, eds., Culture and Technology in Modern Japan (London: I. B. Tauris, 2000), Annals of Science, 59 (2002): 441-443.
•	Review of Tian Yu Cao, ed., Conceptual Foundations of Quantum Field Theory (New York: Cambridge University Press, 1999), Historical Studies in the Physical and Biological Sciences 31, 2001: 382.
•	Review of Robert Serber, Peace and War: Reminiscences of a Life on the Frontiers of Science, with Robert P. Crease (New York: Columbia University Press, 1998), Isis 91, 2000: 808.
•	"Graduate Program in the History of Science at Harvard University," Kagakusi Kenkyu 27, 2000: 80-82 (in Japanese).
•	"Complementarity," in Wataru Hiromatsu et al., Tetsugaku shisô jiten (Dictionary of philosophy and ideas) (Tokyo: Iwanami Shoten, 1998) (in Japanese).
•	With Togo Tsukahara, Mariko Shinoda, Noriaki Matsumura, Hironori Ayabe, Yasushi Kakihara, Eio Honma, Yosio Sugiyama, "A Review of the Scientific Activities of Philipp Franz von Siebold with Reference to the History of Science: A Study Concerning the Relationship between Siebold's Scientific Activities and the Fields of Colonial, Baconian and Humboldtian Science," Narutaki Kiyo, no. 6, 1996: 201-244 (in Japanese).
•	Review of Ryoshi Rikigaku no keisei to ronri by Mitsuo Taketani and Masayuki Nagasaki, Historia Scientiarum 3, 1994: 235-243 (in English).

Professional Societies
•	History of Science Society, Society for Social Studies of Science, Japanese Physical Society, Japanese Society for the History of Science, Japanese Society for the History of Chemistry, Japanese Society for the History of Science and Society

References
Peter L. Galison, Harvard University   (galison@fas.harvard.edu)
Andrew Gordon, Harvard University, Reischauer Institute (agordon@fas.harvard.edu)
Silvan S. Schweber, Brandeis University (schweber@fas.harvard.edu)
David Kaiser, Massachusetts Institute of Technology  (dikaiser@mit.edu)

Dissertation Summary
Making Sense of Ryôshiron (Quantum Theory): Introduction of Quantum Physics into Japan, 1920-1940.
This project concerns what "quantum mechanics" meant in the Japanese context from the 1920s to the early 1940s. It discusses how physicists and other intellectuals in Japan reacted to the development of a new theory of physics abroad, how they introduced this theory from Europe into Japan, and how they made (or failed to make) sense of it. People from different cultural backgrounds understood quantum mechanics differently. The ways they imposed meanings on quantum mechanics reflected their cultures. I aim to understand the processes by which scientists make sense of a new theory. More generally, I explore how one gives meanings to terms or notions that did not originally belong to his/her own culture.
In particular, I examine the meanings of quantum mechanics within various cultural traditions of Japanese scientists and intellectuals. Chapters 2, 3, and 5 deal with the cultures specific to physicists. They roughly correspond to the three stages through which Japan introduced quantum mechanics. Chapter 2 examines what "theory" and "theoretical physics" meant in Japan. It shows that an intensively mathematical approach, or what I call the "culture of calculating," dominated theoretical physics in Japan. Chapter 3 discusses splinter groups of young physicists. They started learning quantum mechanics as early as in 1927. By studying the youth culture of their student years, I show that learning quantum mechanics meant for them a tacit act of rebellion. Those young physicists were increasingly dissatisfied with the works of old professors, which they regarded as dry and boring manipulations of equations. Chapter 5 examines how Nishina Yoshio brought a new culture of physics research from Copenhagen to Japan. His contemporaries vaguely described it as "Copenhagen spirit."
In addition, I carry out in-depth studies on Nishina Yoshio, to explore further possibilities to discuss connections between scientific works and Japanese native cultures. Chapter 4 explores connections between Nishina's engineering background and quantum mechanics research. I show that those theoretical skills that Nishina acquired from his electric engineering background were essential when he turned from to theoretical research. In Chapter 6, I show how Nishina's activities as an organizer of physics were deeply embedded in the political cultures and values of modern Japan. To show this I by examine Nishina's upbringing and his activities during the war. I show how in Nishina nationalism and internationalism were able to coexist.
Finally, Chapter 7 turns to a broader spectrum of Japanese intellectuals. It discusses how various philosophical traditions in modern Japan, particularly Marxism and the Kyoto School philosophy, reacted to quantum mechanics and its interpretations. In their attempt to appropriate this newest scientific theory, different schools interpreted it differently. Their debate in the late 1930s turned this physical theory into a battleground of different philosophical and ideological ideas.
I conclude the dissertation by discussing the transmission of scientific ideas across cultures and the formation of their meanings. The meaning of “quantum mechanics” depended on the culture of those who talked about it. If the practice of “quantum mechanics” in a broad sense defines quantum mechanics, quantum mechanics in Japan had a wide range of meanings. It, at the same time, kept its identity through its lineage to the European origin. European and Japanese physicists after Nishina shared not only the rigid mathematical core of quantum mechanics. Rather, they came to have a similar way of practicing physicsJapanese physicists could produce such works as Yukawa’s meson theory, or Tomonaga’s renormalization theory, which physicists overseas could share. Yet, the way they perceived quantum mechanics and the meanings physicists and the society attached to it did not remain the same when quantum mechanics was introduced. Nor was it homogeneous within Japan.